Category Archives: Entertainment

Books/Art

Review of ‘John Cleese Saved My Life…and Other True Tales Of Pop, Politics and Prayer’ by Scott Berndt

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By: Evie Beaumaster

In the book ‘John Cleese Saved My Life… and Other True Tales of Pop, Politics and Prayer’, Berndt combines memories with past global events and songs, to teach not only his personal experience but the experiences of countless people. The book follows Berndt through many different times in his life and the spiritual and mental journeys that led him there.

I haven’t ever read a memoir quite like it. I believe that there are two types of memoirs, ones that share just experiences and ones that share experiences and wisdom. This book definitely shares wisdom more than just life experiences. All of the experiences that are shared here are shared in insightful ways that lead to us learning more about the bigger picture of the time period and the world. Berndt shares memories followed by quotes and song lyrics to help the reader grasp the bigger picture of the memory or the point that he is trying to share.

This book also gives insightful opinions about religion and religious beliefs, it also questions religion at its core. This book combines memory with facts about the time period and impacts of certain events, locally and globally. I think that Berndt successfully captured part of himself in the book.

This book was great, it was quick paced and cut up into short memories, and facts. This book took me approximately 3 hours to read and I finished it the same day I got my hands on the copy of the book that is available in the school library. This book is hard to put down and I only found myself stopping to eat, before I sat down and finished the entire book in one night. It was such an attention grabbing book and was an easy read.

Overall, I would recommend this book and in terms of memoirs, it is a great one. Berndt’s unique writing style helps capture the reader’s attention. I was skeptical at first, but I found myself captivated by the mix of songs, quotes and memories. Unlike some other memoirs, Berndt included research for timely events that relate to the book and this helps the reader think more deeply about the time period. I would recommend this book to older, less sensitive readers, as there are descriptions of violence and racism, as well as religious content and profanities that some readers might find offensive.

Overall, it is an excellent book that you should totally read!

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Getting To Know/History, Travel/Food

The history of Trolli

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By: Maya Song

Trolli is a long standing candy manufacturing company known all across the world. It was founded in Germany in 1948 by Willy Menderer, which was then passed down to his son, Herbert Mederer in 1981. The company is now operated by the Mederer group which acquired the company in 1998.

The company expanded its reach to the United States in 1982, which introduced their product to a whole new population. Places such as Asia, North America, and Europe all saw the potential of this brand and invested in helping it grow. The fact that Trolli was given the opportunity to sell its products internationally really helped the company reach the status that it holds today, as one of the world’s biggest candy manufacturing companies ever.

They reached their highest accolade in 1993 when their famous sour glow worm won the Candy Kettle Award, a highly prestigious award that other famous companies like Ferrero, Lindt, Nestlé, and Haribo have won.

Some of their bestsellers include the sour brite crawlers, peach rings, and my personal favorite, egg gummies. Trolli is well known for having very creative flavors and designs as well as experimenting with sour flavors. The company does not sit on their laurels but constantly comes out with new things for consumers to try. They provide a variety of different gummy candies and have become a very successful and popular company due to their innovation.

While there are a plethora of other candy manufacturing companies around the world that compete with Trolli, Trolli will always be one of the originals. Trolli has remained one of the most successful ones out there for nearly 75 years, while it continues to grow its brand and followers.

In my personal opinion, I truly love Trolli gummies, especially the gummy eggs. I think that they are definitely worthy of their status, and it is always a guarantee to fulfill a sweet craving.

Entertainment

The paradox of tragedy: Are crime junkies ‘sadists’ or is there something more?

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By: Maya Vossen-Nelson

In 2024, crime podcasts consistently occupied spots in both Apple Podcasts and Spotify’s Top Charts and IMDb announced that over 58 new TV documentary series were released in 2024.

On the surface, individuals who enjoy crime podcasts, crime TV and crime novels seem like sadists; they seek out media recalling the pain and suffering of others. But there is actually a deeper psychological component.

Individuals are attracted to tragedy because it is human nature to be highly attuned to threatening behavior. Humans want to discover the patterns, causes and outcomes of harmful situations to protect themselves and loved ones. This is a survival instinct ingrained in the human psyche since before homo sapiens emerged.

This draw is similar to the desire to know what is happening when an ambulance goes by or being unable to look away from a highway crash. Most people don’t wish harm on others, so why has an entire industry been built on this fascination?

Although the TV is relatively new, this question has puzzled philosophers for centuries. Aristotle first explored this topic and observed that “[W]e enjoy looking at the most exact portrayals of things whose actual sight is painful to us”. A Stanford Philosophy article reflects on Aristotle’s quote and reasons that there is “pleasure as arising from the knowledge acquired in viewing such representations”.

This can be further explained by brain research that shows human brains experience danger and passion in strikingly similar ways: both causing arousal, both releasing dopamine. Dopamine is often described as the brain’s ”pleasure chemical” and is responsible for actions relating to cognition and reward. Dopamine can be released during pleasurable activities (such as eating and social interaction), during the anticipation of rewards, foreseeing favorable outcomes and while achieving goals. The dopamine released while watching crime TV is produced from anticipation and from experiencing intense emotions regardless of if it is repulsion or fascination.

Studies show that women are more likely than men to seek out content that analyzes the killer’s motive, contains information on how victims escaped and what actions increase the risk of becoming a target for killers.

Female fascination with crimes is not because they are more likely to become murderers, it is actually quite the opposite. Women make up fewer than 20% of murders, are approximately 60% more likely to be victims of kidnapping and 90% more likely than men to be victims of rape.

So, the next time you see someone watching a crime documentary don’t be so quick to judge.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Memorable Oscar moments from over the years

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By: Hermekay Dehaney

Photo by Mirko Fabian from Pexels.com

Over the years, the Oscar ceremony has delivered everything from heartfelt wins to shocking surprises, giving the audience a lot to talk about afterward. In honor of the annual Oscar awards taking place on March 2, here is a look back at some of the most memorable Oscar moments from over the years — the good, the bad, and one of the most unforgettable. 

The Good: 

‘Parasite’ groundbreaking win (2020)

‘Parasite’ was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. Created by Bong Joon-ho, the South Korean film won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. This win marked a turning point for the Academy because it showed that there is a potential shift to embrace international films rather than just sticking to Hollywood movies. 

Leonardo DiCaprio wins first Oscar (2016) 

Leonardo DiCaprio is arguably one of the most well known actors in the world. He has acted since the late 1980s, best known for movies such as ‘Titanic,’ ‘The Great Gatsby,’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ Even after so many famous movies, and 7 Oscar nominations, Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first Oscar for his role in ‘The Revenant,’ in 2016. He was received with a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience. He took time out of his speech to raise awareness of climate change, he said, “Climate change is real, it is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”

Halle Berry’s Historic Win (2002)  

Halle became the first Black woman to win Best Actress for her role in, ‘Monster’s Ball.’ In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she says, “This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, and Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women who stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, and Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.” Her speech remains one of the most powerful moments in Oscar history. 

The Bad:

‘Moonlight’/’LaLa La’ mix-up (2017)

The 2017 Oscar ceremony is remembered for the most infamous line in Academy Awards history. 2 ½ minutes into ‘LaLa Land’s’ Best Picture win, announced by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, ‘LaLa Land’ producer Jordan Horowitz informed the audience that, “There’s been a mistake. ‘Moonlight’, you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke.” That shocking reveal overshadowed what should have been a celebratory win for ‘Moonlight.’ 

Adrien Brody’s Awkward Speech (2025)

Adrien Brody broke the record for the longest Oscar-winning acceptance speech, beating the record set in 1943 by Greer Garson. The speech was 5 minutes and 40 seconds of pure awkwardness. While walking on stage to accept his award, Adrien Brody spit out his gum and threw it to his wife, Georgina Chapman who then proceeded to catch it. Towards the end of his lengthy speech of thanking anyone he could think of, the Academy began to play music which is a signal that your time is up. Instead of taking that as a sign, he proceeded to say, “I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off. I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.” This is not his first time doing something like this. When he accepted his award for Best Actor for the ‘Pianist’ in 2003, his speech went over time and he responded to the music cutoff by saying, “One second, please. One second. Cut it out. I got one shot at this. I didn’t say more than five names, I don’t think.”

The Unforgettable: 

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock (2022)

Often referred to as “The Slap heard around the world,” due to the video becoming a viral sensation, not just in the United States, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock is still remembered to this day, which is why I placed it as the most unforgettable Oscar moment. This moment shocked audience members and people watching at home. It was caused by an uncomfortable moment when Will Smith walked onstage and slapped Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. The incident immediately went viral and similar to the ‘Moonlight’ mix-up, this incident cast a shadow over Will Smith’s award win for Best Actor for the movie ‘King Richard’ which he won later that night. 

Whether good, bad, or unforgettable, these Oscar moments shape the legacy of The Academy and also remind us of the unpredictability of live television on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.

Travel/Food

Recipe review: Rosa Pasta Sauce

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By: Austin Bailey-Zimmerman

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbls of olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 6 cloves of minced garlic
  • 2 tsp of dried oregano
  • 24 oz. of your preferred tomato pasta sauce
  • ¾ cups of heavy cream
  • pepper and salt
  • 16 oz of penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • Optional: garlic bread

Instructions:

  1. Cook your pasta until al dente, drizzle with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper (or to taste) and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
  3. Add diced onion along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper, and cook for 4 minutes (stir frequently).
  4. Add in the garlic and oregano and cook for 1 minute (stir frequently).
  5. Add preferred pasta sauce and stir till combined.
  6. Cook for 3-4 minutes (stirring frequently) until pasta sauce is heated all the way through.
  7. Remove the pan from heat and stir in heavy cream.
  8. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  9. Add pasta and toss to coat evenly.
  10. Optional: add garlic bread.
  11. Enjoy!

Review:

This recipe was absolutely delicious. I made it for my family for dinner, and they all loved it! We all went back for seconds because we enjoyed it so much.

The sauce is altogether so creamy and enjoyable to eat. The sauce also has a lot of flavor to it from the warm tomato flavor to the savory onion and sweet cream. I like how you can also make this recipe your own by using whatever base sauce you want and adding things to your specific taste.

I got this recipe from https://midwestfoodieblog.com/penne-rosa by Kylie. She has created this recipe to be so easy and affordable, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to have a full dinner for your family!

The sauce has the perfect ratio of flavor and paired with the noodles, it is an amazing, filling and healthy dinner!

Try this recipe out for a great dinner! I know I will for sure be making this again! Enjoy!

Music/Concerts

The background of Latin music

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By: Nereida Dominguez Remedios

“Latin American music, musical traditions of Mexico, Central America, and the portions of South America and the Caribbean colonized by the Spanish and the Portuguese.” –britannica.com

“The origin of Latin music in the United States dates back to the 1930s with Rhumba. Rhumba was prominent with Cuban-style ballroom dancing in the 1930s, but was not mainstream. It was not until the 1950s and 1960s that Latin music started to become intertwined with American culture.” –wikipedia.org

Grave of Selena, American singer and songwriter. Selena was murdered March 31, 1995 and her grave is in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Photographed by Terry Ross and grave site owned and sculpted by Seaside Memorial Cemetery.

Nowadays, Latin music has become one of the most listened to music genres. Now, there are different styles of music like reggaeton, norteñas, corridos, salsa’s, cumbias and many more.

In the past decades there have been many artists that have sadly died. Even though they have died they still have a big impact in music today, like Selena, Vicente Fernández, and Chálanos Sanchez, and many more. These artists have had the biggest influence on today’s Latin music.

In the last couple of years some of the biggest artists have been Bad Bunny, Feid, Raul Alejandro, J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, and Don Omar.   These artists have been the most successful throughout the years. Most of these artists have upbeat songs, but they also have some music for you to get into your feelings. Like Bad Bunny, his old music is more sad where he would call it trap music.

The biggest style I know people listen to is corridos. “Corridos is a ballad in a traditional Mexican style, typically having lyrics that narrate a historical event.” -Oxford Languages

Some of the biggest artists that are known for corridos are Peso Pluma, Fuerza Regida, Nathanael Cano, Junior H, and Tito Double P and many more. These artists have helped define new regional Latin music.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Review of ‘Waves’ (2019)

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By: Sasha Deans

‘Waves’ (2019), directed by Trey Edward Shults, is an emotional drama that follows a suburban African American family as they navigate love, pressure, and the challenges of healing. The story slowly unravels from an ideal reality, exploring the highs and lows of relationships and how choices shape lives.

I believe the film features incredibly strong performances that portray emotion beautifully. Personally, this is some of the best acting I’ve ever seen—it feels so real.

One thing I appreciate is that the film doesn’t have a straightforward resolution or a purely happy ending, which makes it realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. But that also adds to its depth, showing that even when things don’t turn out perfectly, there is still meaning in the journey.

The soundtrack is another standout, featuring artists like Frank Ocean; Kid Cudi; and Tyler, The Creator. Songs like “Ghost” by Kid Cudi, “IFHY” by Tyler, The Creator, and “Godspeed” and “Seigfried” by Frank Ocean perfectly complement the film’s emotional depth.

I think ‘Waves’ will resonate most with teenagers who enjoy realistic stories, similar to ‘Euphoria’, as well as those who are into current pop artists. Teenage athletes, in particular, may connect with the film’s portrayal of high expectations and personal struggles. It realistically shows how the people around you matter more than you might realize.

Personally, I wish the film had a more uplifting ending. I love happy endings, so I had mixed feelings about its realism. I also felt the pacing was a bit slow, especially given its three-hour runtime, with many reflective scenes—though they were beautifully shot.

Final Verdict:

‘Waves’ is an eye-opening, well-crafted, and deeply moving film. Despite its slow pace and bittersweet ending, it’s a story worth experiencing. I highly recommend it and give it a 5/5.

You can watch ‘Waves’ on Amazon Prime!

Getting To Know/History, Music/Concerts

The impact of music on mental health

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By: Kate Tabor

Image created using ChatGPT

We all love music, and it turns out that it’s for a good reason. Many studies have shown that music can have a positive impact on your mental health (and even your physical health, if only by a bit). Here’s how.

Music helps distract us from our thoughts and lowers our stress. Listening to music can lower stress hormones, as well as blood sugar and heart rate, both of which are things that spike when you’re stressed. If you want to block out the world and forget about whatever problems you’re dealing with at the moment, listening to songs that share a different story is a good way to do that.

Not only can it help with stress, it can help you name your emotions, and manage them better. If you’re feeling off, but don’t know why, try listening to classical music. It sounds silly, but hearing a melody without lyrics helps you project your own feelings onto the music, without the music already having a feeling or meaning.

Even without classical music, songs can often help us figure out what we’re feeling as well. I can’t count how many times I turn on one of my favorite songs casually, and even though I’ve heard it a million times before, a lyric sticks out to me and I just think wow, where are the cameras hidden? Music can help you place your feelings, and also feel seen in those feelings.

Music builds community. It brings people together. Music festivals, radio shows, Spotify playlists, etc. A popular app around my age group a bit ago was an app called Airbuds Widget, where you can share what you’re listening to with your friends. I’ve made so many friends based on just recognizing that we both listen to the same artist.

Music can also boost your mood when you’re feeling down, which I find to be especially true. Everyday, I hop in my car after school and turn my favorite playlist on, and I immediately feel better.

Even just half an hour ago, I was unmotivated to start writing this article, but I sat down, put my airpods in, and got to work. Music has a huge impact on me, and I’m sure many others, on how motivated I feel.

Music can be a great tool, even when we don’t realize it.

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Music/Concerts

The Lumineers new album ‘Automatic’ review

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By: Grace Wright

The Lumineers started in New Jersey in 2005 with Wesley Schultz lead singer/guitarist and Jeremiah Fraites a dummer. They struggled with getting their music out so they moved to Denver in 2009. When they moved to Denver they went through many different music genres and evenly settled on folk/indie kind of music.

They started playing in basements and soon put out an ad that caught the attention of Neyla Pekarek. She is a multi-instrumentalist and a singer. They soon later released an EP called ‘Ho Hey’; the call and response title track caused it to be a fan favorite. Once they released ‘Ho Hey’ they signed a contract with Dualtone Records.

They have 7 albums and many singles and EPs. They have collaborated with many artists like Zach Bryan, James Bay, Noah Khan and many more. Their newest album is called ‘Automatic’ and has 11 songs. “Same Old Song”, “A**hole” (title edited), “Strings”, “Automatic”, “You’re all i got”, “Plasticine”, “Ativan”, “Keys on the table”, “Better day”, “Sunflowers”, “So long”.

They released “Same Old Song” and teasers of all the songs on Jan 13, 2025 and the full album came out on Feb 14, 2025: Valentines Day. Much like their other songs and albums, they have catchy beats and deep meanings behind their lyrics.

My favorite songs on the album are “Same Old Song”, ‘”A**hole” (title edited)“, “Automatic” and “Keys On The Table”. These are my favorite songs because I like the meanings behind them but also because I like the way they were musically written.

Overall, I really liked this album because the songs are very thought out and I really liked the different meanings behind them. I also really like the song called “Strings”. I like it because there aren’t any words in it, it’s just violins and it makes me think of growing up and getting older. I also really like how this album is what I consider more calm compared to their other ones. You can find their music on Spotify, iHeart Radio and Apple Music.

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School Life, Tech/Games

Effects of phones on people’s education

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By: Chloe Rocha

The phrase “It’s because of your phone” is something that is commonly heard amongst adolescents. In some cases, that phrase can apply, but in others it is not necessarily accurate.

This phrase however, can apply to the education of kids during school. Cell phones have been something that is used in our day to day lives because they provide convenience and also connectivity. But at the same time they can also be proven to be a distraction while in the classroom.

There have been proven to be many negative effects of cell phone use while in the classroom, and according to an article by ‘Why Edify’, these are the top 10 reasons:

  1. Distraction
  2. Cyberbullying
  3. Academic dishonesty
  4. Social isolation
  5. Physical health issues
  6. Sleep disruption
  7. Privacy concerns
  8. Inequality
  9. Reduced physical activity
  10. Addiction

Distraction:

Decreased focus and attention in the classroom can occur because students become distracted by their phones, whether it be social media, or playing video games. These platforms are made by design to hook the user and keep them entertained. This can also be known as “doom scrolling” in some situations.

Cyberbullying:

In some cases students use their cell phone to send hurtful messages. Many adults don’t know how big of an impact cyberbullying can be and how frequently it is seen in classrooms. Nearly 42% of kids have been bullied online, according to an article by Annapolis, MD. When these children experience cyberbullying by their own classmates, it can cause them to be fearful or anxious about going to class and in the long run can have harmful effects on their education.

Academic dishonesty:

It is a very well known fact that AI has been evolving and also becoming more frequently used during people’s day to day life. Specifically in class, students have become more reliant on using AI to guide them in their class work. A global survey, that was conducted by Statista, showed that 86% of students used AI in the year of 2024. Students may also cheat during exams or assignments, simply because they have access to the answers or the information on their phones.

Social isolation:

When students use their phones excessively, it can cause them to spend less time interacting face-to-face with their own peers. Face-to-face interactions are crucial during a child’s adolescence because it allows them to develop many crucial social skills. Some of these skills include empathy, effective communication, the understanding of nonverbal cues, peer dynamics, and forming a strong sense of identity.

Physical health issues:

When cell phones are used excessively, they can begin to cause physical health problems, such as poor posture, eye strain and many other health issues.

Sleep disruption:

Cell phone use before going to bed can cause disruptions to people’s sleep patterns. When sleep patterns are disrupted, it can lead to fatigue and also a decrease in their academic performance. Sleep is important because it improves your brain performance, your mood, and also your health.

Privacy concerns:

Students may share their personal information or photographs and this can raise concerns about their privacy.

Inequality:

In many classes, a digital divide can be formed among students because not everyone may have access to a cell phone. This can cause students to feel left out from their peers.

Reduced physical activity:

This issue applies to both in school and out. During school, cell phones can discourage students from engaging in physical activity during recess or during their breaks. Outside of school, when a child has access to a cell phone, they often don’t release their energy in a physical way, like going outside, instead they go on their phones while in the house.

Addiction:

As mentioned before, many apps on your phone are by design very addictive. Mobile apps can stimulate the release of dopamine and this leads to the formation of habits. Some very popular apps that you may use that are also addictive are Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, and TikTok.

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